Eaton Hall 63
education
early schooling 12–14
junior school 16–22, 23–5, 28–9
senior school 41–5, 47, 49
in spiritual world 195
Edwina (daughter) xii–xiii, 185, 189–92, 203
Egypt 90, 92
Elizabeth II, meetings with 89
enlightenment, readiness for 146–8, 156
Equity, membership 113–14
etheric body 34, 216
evacuees 25
Everett, Richard (Dick) 172
evil 217
evolution of soul 262
Faculty of Astrological Studies 165–6
fame 135, 136, 148, 150, 184–5, 251
family see entries for Roache
father see Roache, Vincent
fears
of death and infinity xv, 35–9, 41, 87, 176–7
of illness 37–8, 101–3
other 11, 233–4
films
cinema going 47–8
roles in 114, 116
financial problems, from libel case 241–2, 244
firework display organisation 75, 77–9
flights, army 71–3, 94–5
food rationing 15, 23–4
forgiveness 264–5
fox, pet in Egypt 100–1, 103
free will 201, 216–17
gardening, and love 259–60
general practice (medicine) 8
Germany, army posting 89
Gift of Understanding 224, 271
giggling 11–12, 181–2
girlfriends 59, 63, 96, 110, 120, 136
God 218–20, 261–2
golf 183–4
Granada Television
early roles 123
and libel case 236, 239
see also Coronation Street
Great Pyramid of Cheops 92–3
great teachers 149–50, 196–7, 220–1, 225
Green Room, amateur dramatic society 172
grief, parental 190–1, 197
group study, spiritualism 148–9
guardian angel see spiritual guide
guilt
over loss of child 190–1, 200
over way of life 136
Gulf, army posting 95–104
Haberfield, Graham 130–1
Hamilton, Neil (MP) 185
hearing problem 88–9
heaven (afterlife) 193–7, 197–8, 200
hideaways (dens) 21, 27, 128
high life, in sixties 136–7
higher self 138, 154, 178
see also lower self
higher spiritual beings 149–50
see also spiritual guides
holidays from school 27
homes 174, 183
see also Rutland House
horoscopes 164, 257
Howarth, Jack 17–18, 129
Hughes, Selwyn 73, 74, 80, 198–9, 199–201
Hurst, Brian Desmond 111–13
incarnation 9, 33–4, 191, 195–6, 214–15
see also reincarnation
independence see self-reliance
infinity
fear of xv, 38–9, 41, 87, 176
spiritual view of 268–9
interviewing, for magazines 256
Irwin, Ken 234–5, 237–8, 240
Ivanhoe 115–16
Jamaica 73–80
James, Olive 49
Jesus Christ 149–50, 220–1
Johnson, Colonel (Egypt) 95
Johnson, Lieutenant Colonel (Caribbean) 74–5, 79
Jolson, Al 48
journeys, army 71–3, 90–2, 94–5
junior school 17–22, 23–5, 28–9
karmic experiences 243
‘Ken Barlow’, character 134–5, 185, 205–6, 235, 253–4
Kennard, Peggy (medium) xi, 191–2, 226
Kidnapped, son’s part in series 252
kitchen-sink drama 125–6
kundalini (life force) 155–6, 157
Lao Tzu 3, 87
lectures 225–6, 227–30
left-handedness 19, 80
levels of worth 193–4
Lewis, Mr (schoolmaster) 19, 20, 23–4
libel case, against Sun 234–42
life after death 193–7, 197–8, 200
life events, reason for 233
life force (kundalini) 155–6, 157
lifestyle see way of life
The Little Hut 182
live transmission, Coronation Street 127–8
loss of temper 207–8
love
after death 194, 197–8
in conversion of others 229–30
of God 219
importance for self-awareness 178
‘Love, always love’ phrase 259
sending loving thoughts 93–4, 259–61
lower self 177–8, 215, 217
see also higher self
Lowrie, Philip 124
magazines, writing for 256
Marking Time 123–4, 125, 135
marriages 135, 171
to Sara Mottram 172
Maugham, Thomas 141–50, 151–2, 175, 230
MBE xi
McKellan, Sir Ian 129
meaning of life, search for truth xv–xvii, 150–1, 181, 213
media
portrayal of libel case 242
reaction to daughter’s death 203
report on interest in druidism 150
Sun article 235–6
medical practice 8
meditation 99, 152–7, 257–8
mediums 34, 149
Michael House School 5, 13–14
military career see army
Mills, Brian 206
Moore, Roger 115
mortar training 88–9
motorbike escapades 45–6, 63–4
Mottram, Sara
marriage 172–3
see also Roache, Sara
music 22, 44–5, 135
National Service see army
nickname, junior school 19
Nottingham Repertory
Theatre 121
Oakwood Park 41–2
observation, of own life 160, 178–9
officer training, army 58, 60–2, 63–6
Oldham Repertory Theatre 121–2
Olivier, Lord Laurence 116–17, 129, 182, 204–5
Oriental Carpet
Manufacturers 108–10
other worlds, and incarnation 195–6
Owen, Terry 123
Oxford Union debate 209
panic attacks 39, 87–8
parents
allowing freedom 27
attitude to son’s careers 68, 110
loving nature 10
politics 162
see also Roache, Hester;
Roache, Vincent
Pemberton, Frank 127
permanency
of immortal state 245–6
preference for 174–5
Persian Gulf, army posting 95–104
personal experience, in spiritual matters 213–14
pets 6, 100–1, 103
Phoenix, Pat 126, 131–2
physical body 216
Play of the Week 123
poker school, Coronation Street 132–3
politics 162–4, 185–8
pollution, of civilizations 93, 265
prayer 218–19
Prayer of Intention 259
Pre-recording of episodes 128–9
press see media
Preston 181
pride 244
primary school 17–22, 23–5, 28–9
production company 181–3
promotions, in army 59, 95
psychic experiences 31–3, 190
public attitudes, change 269–70
purpose see meaning of life
pyramids 92–3
Queen Elizabeth II, meetings with 89
Queen’s Guards, The 116
question and answ
er sessions 227–8
rationing 15, 23–4
Rawtenstall, accommodation 136, 174
Re-birth 180
recklessness, teenage episodes 45–6
reincarnation 9–10, 149–50
see also incarnation
relationships
with cast members 131–2, 238, 249
with friends 73, 74, 80, 198–9, 199–201
see also marriage; parents
religion 219–20
religious teachers 149–50, 196–7, 220–1, 225
repertory theatre 119–22, 136, 181
reputation, fear of loss 234
RFK, son’s part in film 252
Richard, Sir Cliff 182
Roache, Beryl (sister) 11, 49
Roache, Edwina (daughter) xii–xiii, 185, 189–92, 203
Roache, Hester (mother) achievements 211
childhood and courtship 7–8
father’s death 27–8
interest in acting 14, 43–4, 110
old age 210–11
Roache, John (uncle) 8–9, 28, 210
Roache, Linus (son) 224, 252
Roache, Sara (wife)
acting career 181–2, 255–6
marriage 172–3
support during legal case 239, 245
Roache, Verity (daughter) xi, 183, 211, 223, 252
Roache, Vincent (father)
courtship 7–8
work as doctor 8, 22
retirement 68
illness 108
death 177, 210
discussion on acting 110
and spiritual matters 5
treatment of son’s fears 38
Roache, William (grandfather) 3, 4–5, 8, 84
Roache, William (son) 211, 223, 251–2
Rothwell, Alan 133
Royal Welch Fusiliers 53, 69
Rudolph Steiner schools 5, 13
rugby, junior school 21–2
Rutland House 3–4, 5–6, 15–16, 68–9
Rydal School 17–22, 41–5, 47, 49
Saturn, in astrology 166, 168
schooldays see education
Scorer, Daphne 118
scriptwriting, for Coronation Street 126–7, 133–4
sea trips 90–2
séances 136–8
Second World War 15–16, 22–6
secondary school 41–5, 47, 49
secret hideaways (dens) 21, 27, 128
self see higher self; lower self
self-awareness 160–1, 177–81
self-discipline 178
self-reliance
in childhood 40
fighting own battles 244–5
independence from parents 209
sex education 28–9
Shakespeare, William, Hamlet quotation 31
Sharjah, army posting 95–104
shyness 119, 120, 128
Silver Birch 34
sister, Beryl 11, 49
spirits, of loved ones 193, 194, 195, 198
spiritual body 34, 216
spiritual development 21, 261–5, 267–8
spiritual guides 85, 179–80
see also higher spiritualbeings
spiritualism
author’s developing interest 141–52
beliefs
afterlife 193–7, 197–8, 200
astral plane 33, 35, 92, 138, 193
about death 192–3, 268
enlightenment readiness 146–8
forgiveness 264–5
free will 201, 216–17
gained through personal
experience 213–14
guides 179–80
higher self 138, 154, 178
immortal state 245–6
incarnation 9, 33–4, 191, 195–7, 214–15
levels of worth 193–4
about life events 233
life force 155–6, 157
meaning of life 181
reincarnation 9–10, 149–50
spiritual body 216
suicide 67
about thoughts 93, 159, 175, 258
view of Earth 93–4, 195, 265–6
and Christianity 85–6, 198, 222–3
meditation 99, 152–7, 257–8
meetings 84, 144–5
psychic experiences 31–3, 190
séances 136–8
sport 21–2, 79–80, 184
stammering 19
star charts 165–7
Stars in Their Eyes performance 208
Staton, Norris 118
Steiner, Rudolf, schools 5, 13
storylines
for Coronation Street 133–4
see also scriptwriting
study groups, spiritualist 148–9
suffering, growth through 217
suicide
army cadets 66
spiritual view 67
Sumner, Vin 181
Sun, libel case against 234–42
sweet rationing 15
Sykeside House 183
talk shows, production 182
talks and lectures 225–6, 227–30
‘Teddy’ (Edwina) 185
television drama roles 115–16, 123–4, 125
see also Coronation Street
temper, loss 207–8
Thatcher, Margaret (Prime Minister) 185–6, 186–7, 209
theatre work 119–22, 136, 181–2
thought, spiritualist view 93, 159, 175, 258
Trucial Oman Scouts 89–104
trumpet playing 22, 44–5, 135
truth, search for xv–xvii, 150–1, 181, 213
Uncle John 8–9, 28, 210
United Arab Emirates, army posting to Sharjah 95–104
Up Park Camp 74
Variety Club Golf Society 183–4
visualization, in meditation 154–5
war
public attitude towards 269–70
Second World War 15–16, 22–6
War Officer Selection Board 58, 60–2
Warren, Tony 126–7, 135
way of life 136–7, 209–10
see also childhood, home life
wealth, and spiritual progress 199
wild living (high life) 136–7
William Roache Productions 181–3
Wilmslow, move to 185
WOSBY 58, 60–2
writing for magazines 256
Yorkshire Magazine 256
Plate Section
1. My parents, William and Hester Roache, pictured during the early years of their married life.
2. Rutland House, my birthplace in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.
3. With Beryl, 1934. My swimsuit was probably a hand-me-down from my sister!
4. A proud member of the First XV rugby team at Rydal Senior School, Colwyn Bay, in 1946. I am sitting on the far right.
5. Me, at sixteen, in the garden of Rutland House with Patch, the dog.
6. The Royal Welch Fusiliers cricket team in Kingston, Jamaica, 1953. I’m second from the right, with Major Tolhurst on my right.
7. At the fort in the Buriemi Oasis in Trucial Oman. Note the dashing moustache.
8. Aged twenty-six, and just embarking on a career in acting.
9. The cast of Coronation Street as of episode one, December 1960. Back row, left to right: Harry Hewitt (Ivan Beavis), Albert Tatlock (Jack Howarth), Ivan Cheveski (Ernst Walder), Dennis Tanner (Philip Lowrie), David Barlow (Alan Rothwell), Jack Walker (Arthur Leslie), an unnamed extra (William Croasdale), Frank Barlow (Frank Pemberton), Ida Barlow (Noel Dyson), Minnie Caldwell (Margot Bryant).
Front row: Annie Walker (Doris Speed), Florrie Lindley (Betty Alberge), Linda Cheveski (Anne Cunningham), Elsie Tanner (Patricia Phoenix), Ena Sharples (Violet Carson), Christine Hardman (Christine Hargreaves), Kenneth Barlow (William Roache), an extra (Patricia Shakesby), an extra (Penny Davies), Martha Longhurst (Lynne Carol).
10. The five longest-running cast members celebrate the Street’s eighteenth birthday in 1978. Jack Howarth, Doris Speed, Pat Phoenix, Violet Carson and I t
oast the future.
11. The turnout for Ken and Deirdre’s screen wedding in 1981.
12. Doorstep confrontation: Ken and Mike shape up for one of the most gripping half hours in British television.
13. Will it be happily ever after for Wendy Crozier (played by Roberta Kerr) and Ken? In the end it was Wendy, not Mike, who led to the Barlow marriage breakup.
14. The Street’s line-up in 1992, with the cast now well into three generations.
15. Coronation Street fan John Betjeman visits Granada Studios. Sadly, he never realised his ambition to appear in the programme.
16. The Queen and Prince Philip open Granada’s new purpose-built Street set. Her Majesty became so engrossed in chatting to us all that the visit overran by half an hour
17. Is Mike Baldwin about to clock Ken? Deadly rivals on-screen, in real life Johnny Briggs and I are the best of friends.
18. Dancing with Mary Healey in the play Lighthearted Intercourse at the Liverpool Playhouse, directed by Anthony Tuckey, 1971.
19. Another great golf day at Turnberry in 1983, with Gary Player, Peter Alliss, Terry Wogan and Tony Jacklyn. Sara was caddying for me in a matching outfit.
20. Me with our four Jack Russells – Cindy, Oliver, Harry and Poppy – in a photo taken by Lord LichField in 2003.
21. Margaret and Denis Thatcher welcome us to Downing Street shortly after the 1983 general election.
22. Sara and I were delighted when Betty Driver agreed to be our daughter Edwina’s godmother. Here we are at the christening, with Verity and her godmother, Eileen Derbyshire.
23. Me, Verity and Kinky, the kinkajou which our family sponsors at Chester Zoo.
24. Posing for a portrait by renowned artist John Bratby R.A.
25. As a second lieutenant during Her Majesty’s visit to Kingston, Jamaica, in 1953.
26. Captain Roache with a group of young trainees for the Trucial Oman Scouts, Sharjah, 1955.
27. With Sara, announcing our engagement in 1976 – as you can see from the prominent ring!
28. With Sara on our wedding day, 3rd July 1978, looking forward to being one of showbusiness’s most enduring marriages.
29. My parents celebrating their 75th birthdays in 1975, as they were both born in 1900.